The project revolves around two main books, one by a Catalan author, Montserrat Roig, and another by a Belgian author, Amélie Nothomb. These core readings will serve as a springboard for multimedia activities, digital interaction, and cultural exchange.

Working through a shared Bookstagram platform and producing BookTube-style videos, students will bring their reading experiences to life. To enrich the Bookstagram content, students will also participate in smaller creative challenges throughout the year. These might include additional short readings, thematic prompts, visual storytelling (e.g., designing an alternate cover), or written pieces such as book blurbs based on shared topics.

Ultimately, this project will culminate in the co-creation and public presentation of a Youth Reading Manifesto, a collaborative multilingual declaration of students’ reflections on the power of reading to foster empathy, cross-cultural awareness, and a sense of European identity. The digital presence of the project, through social media, video platforms, and a dedicated eTwinning space, will ensure the visibility and sustainability of its outcomes.

By the end of Reading Europe: United Through Literature, students will not only have expanded their literary horizons, but also developed stronger intercultural competences, communication skills, and a shared sense of belonging to a plural, democratic, and culturally rich Europe.

1. Choose a literary character that represents you, inspires you, or shares something in common with you (it can be from a novel, a short story, a graphic novel, or even a myth).

2. Then, write a short post (between 5 and 7 sentences) in the forum introducing yourself through that character, without saying their name. Try to describe their traits, values, or story in a way that makes others curious!

3. End your post with this sentence: “Who do you think I am?” 

   
   

FOR EXAMPLE: 

I’m brave, but not fearless. I often act before I think, and I’ve gotten into trouble more than once because of it. I’m fiercely loyal to my friends, and I’m always ready to fight for what I believe in, even if it’s dangerous. I once faced a dragon and lived to tell the story. Who do you think I am?

What happens next? 

After reading your classmates’ posts, reply to at least two of them with your guess! Let’s try to discover who’s hiding behind each literary identity, and maybe find out what we have in common.

Remember: Be respectful, creative, and enjoy the journey!

I’ve been fooled by first impressions before, but I always learn from my mistakes and become stronger. I’m independent and determined, and I won’t change my principles just to make things easier or to please others. I love deeply, but only when I know it’s real and mutual.

Who do you think I am?

I prefer the company of a true friend to the noisy crowd of adults who only talk about numbers. I’ve come to understand that the things that really matter are often invisible. And even though I seem small and calm, I have a quiet strength made of kindness and questions.

Who do you think I am?

I let myself be guided by my curiosity, even when I don’t know where it will lead me, I ask questions many of them because I want to understand what the world is like. I adapt quickly to the unexpected, even when it’s difficult.

I’m not afraid to question those who act senselessly or unjustly, I keep my manners and my politeness, even in upside down worlds most of the time.
I love learning, observing, and discovering what others overlook,I don’t let others decide who I am; I discover that for myself and when something confuses me, I keep searching for answers.

Who do you think I am?

I run in the fields, play with the goats, and enjoy the green hills around me.

My grandfather takes care of me, and I love him very much.

One day I had to leave my home and go to a big city.

I felt sad there because I missed the mountains, the fresh air, and my simple life.

But I tried to be kind, and I made a new friend who could not walk.

I spent time with her, told her stories, and made her laugh.

Little by little, she became stronger and happier.

I learned that friendship and love can help people a lot.

I am cheerful, gentle, and I always try to see the good in everything.

Who do you think I am?

This character loves the night and helping people, he has great deductive abilities and he is very obsessive with which he wants

to get and his goals.

Physically he is strong, agile and fast. Usually he wears black but he has two personalities so sometimes he wears clothes with different colors. I have to remark that I feel identified with both of his personalities.

I’ll give you a hint, he is the dark knight.

Who do you think I am?

I care deeply about my family and friends, and I am protective of them, not wanting to hurt anyone. I often feel responsible for others’ feelings, even when I want to follow my own dreams. Sometimes I see my own flaws as bigger than they really are, and I worry about losing the friendships I treasure most.

I am loyal, brave in my own way, and I always try to follow my heart.

Who do you think I am?

On the light side, he's a very protective person who always wants and has the intention to give the best to the people he cares about. He's determined, wise, and possess unique abilities that not everyone has.

However, his dark side reveals someone with anger issues, who can be easily manipulated or convinced by false information. He's often scared of loss, prone to anxiety, and can sometimes be led by his ego. In the past, this darker attitude has caused him to fall completely to the dark side.

Who do you think I am?

I can climb walls, jump buildings and other amazing things.  I’m very good nimbling. I feel alone but I understand that I have a big responsibility. I like to play videogames, read comics and explore the city.

Do you have any idea about who I am?

Oh, and I've already met a hurried white rabbit and a mad hatter.

Who do you think I am?

I'm loyal and will protect those I love no matter what the danger.

Who do think I am ?

Who do you think I am ?

In this strange land, I met creatures that others only read about in stories: fauns, talking animals, and a great lion whose presence filled me with warmth and courage. I became friends with them not because I was the strongest or the loudest, but because I listened, cared, and believed.

Even though I am small, I never let fear stop me from doing what is right. I’ve learned that bravery can come in quiet moments, and that kindness can change the fate of a whole world. While my siblings argued or hesitated, I always trusted my heart to guide me.

I love exploring hidden places, discovering magic where no one expects it, and reminding others that sometimes the most unbelievable things turn out to be true. I know that hope and goodness can break even the coldest winter.

Who do you think I am?

Who do you think I am?

Who do you think l am?

I'm not someone who talks a lot. I prefer to observe, stay in the background, understand what's going on before I act. People say I'm cold, but that's just a defence mechanism. The truth is, I learned too early that trust can be costly. Yet I protect those I love to the end, even if it means standing up to the whole world.

I'm no hero. I just do what I have to do to survive, to keep my family alive, and to prevent those in power from deciding everything. I fight because I refuse to be a pawn. Because I cannot stand injustice. Because, despite my mistrust, I still have a shred of compassion left in me that no one has managed to break.

And if all this makes me a symbol... well, it wasn't my choice. But I'll deal with it.

Who do you think I am ?

I am loyal to my friends and I am a deeply caring friend. With my two best mates we form a trio and we study at a prestigious boarding school in the north of Scotland.

Who do you think I am ?

Who do you think I am?

I’ve got red hair, have many brothers and my lover is a famous wizard.

Who do you think I am ?

I like to laugh and move a lot, and I can always defend myself with a simple pan.

I have a little friend who always follows me, like a chameleon.

I get attached to people fast, even though some of them sometimes trick me.

When I dare to leave my comfort zone, I show my real strength.

Who am I?

I like to laugh and move a lot, and I can always defend myself with a simple pan.

I have a little friend who always follows me, like a chameleon.

I get attached to people fast, even though some of them sometimes trick me.

When I dare to leave my comfort zone, I show my real strength.

Who am I?

Who do you think I am ?

This phase is not only about reading a book. It is about reading together, comparing perspectives and discovering how literature reflects identity, memory, childhood, culture and the European experience. As readers from different countries, we may react in different ways to the same text and that is exactly what makes this project meaningful.

Throughout this phase, we will combine classroom work with digital collaboration. We will discuss the novel, explore its themes, analyse characters and reflect on our reading process.

At the same time, we will use Bookstagram as a shared digital reading diary, where we will post quotes, short reflections, creative visuals and questions for our international partners.

At the beginning of the phase, we will start by sharing expectations and first impressions, before learning more about the author. As we progress through the novel, our posts and discussions will evolve, becoming deeper and more personal. At the end of the reading, we will look back at our initial ideas and reflect on how our understanding has changed.

Reading Belgium! is an invitation to read slowly, think critically and communicate clearly. It is also a way to experience literature as a bridge between cultures and to understand Europe through stories, voices and shared dialogue.

Welcome to Phase 2. Let’s start reading Belgium together!

• select three keywords that best represent their expectations of First Blood,

• imagine one symbolic image that could represent the book without revealing any spoilers.

  
  

Each pair must write a short draft caption explaining their choices and turn it into their first official Bookstagram teaser post.

For them, the title suggests intensity, darkness and fear, not necessarily action, but deep inner suffering. This first reading expectation reminds us that literature can hurt, disturb and move us emotionally.

What emotions does First Blood awaken in you? 

Their symbolic image combines objects linked to secrecy, fear and possible violence, reflecting the anxiety suggested by the title. Their work shows how imagination and symbolism play a key role before reading a novel.

What kind of mystery do you expect from First Blood?

The image they chose suggests an unsafe situation, creating a strong feeling of fear and uncertainty. What stands out most in their interpretation is mystery: we don’t know what is happening or what will happen next. This sense of the unknown makes the story feel both interesting and disturbing, exactly what they expected from the title First Blood.

Do you also imagine the novel as a dangerous and mysterious story?

They associate “first blood” with fear, violent experiences and traumatic situations, often linked to crime and harm. Their reflection shows how a title alone can already create strong expectations, even before knowing the story.

Do you imagine First Blood as a crime story too? 

They associated the title with fear and anxiety, but also with boredom, because reading is not something they usually enjoy.For them, the title feels symbolic and unclear, which creates mystery. The image they imagined reinforces this feeling: a red background representing blood and a shadow holding a knife, suggesting danger and fear.Their work reminds us that expectations are not always positive, and that reading sometimes begins with doubt, resistance or discomfort. That is also part of the reading journey.

Do you think First Blood will change their minds about reading?

Before the call, we talked on the chat with Tessa and Chloe, the girls from Arlon who are our partners, to get to know each other better. The call was going to be individual, but we decided to do it together because it would be less uncomfortable and easier to find topics to talk about.

At the beginning, we introduced ourselves briefly, even though we already knew each other a little from the chat. Little by little, we felt more relaxed and started talking with more confidence. We said that there was less time left before we go to Arlon and that we were very excited to meet in person.

We also talked about important and interesting places in Arlon, and we told them about Roses. Then we spoke about our personal interests, like sports, movies and after-school activities.

Finally, we talked about the weather there because we saw that they were wearing warm clothes. They told us they had already been to Catalonia and Spain and that they were very excited to come back.

The call ended because Chloe had to do homework, Tessa wanted to draw, and we had to go play tennis.

We really liked talking to them. They were very nice and, although they were a bit shy at first, they quickly felt more comfortable. We would love to repeat the experience and have another call to know each other better.

At first, there was a bit of silence because, in the end, it is a bit embarrassing to meet someone you have never met before, but as time passed we started to talk more actively. We basically talked about our favourite topics, such as football, and about our cities (Arlon, Roses and Girona), as well as what we would do there briefly.

In general, we talked about a lot of topics (both personal and academic) during the 45 minutes of the call, and it finished because Nell had to go and eat and it was already a bit late, so we decided that it was time to hang up the call.

Overall, it was a good experience to meet her. It was comfortable to talk to her and the call helped us feel more confident and prepared for the Erasmus exchange, as creating a positive first contact before meeting in person.

First of all, we introduced ourselves by talking about our hobbies, siblings, pets, and other introductory things, since we had only chatted to set up the meeting. At this point, we could feel the tense atmosphere and there were even some awkward silences.

Nevertheless, we gradually broke the ice by talking about some interesting topics like where we would like to travel, what our cities are like (weather, landscapes, monuments...), where we would like to live, our future jobs, and if we had done an Erasmus project before.

Later on, we talked about First Blood by Amélie Nothomb. We gave our opinions on the book and, after that, we spoke about some literary topics.

Finally, we ended the call because Elyse had to go to her grandfather's house and we had to do homework.

We all really enjoyed this call. Even though there were some uncomfortable moments, it was nice and we hope we can repeat it soon.

To start, we talked about the book First Blood, because we were a bit shy with each other, so we tried to find a conversation topic that we were both interested, but quickly we started talking about other things.

We talk a bit about travel and about each other's country. We talked about the typical dishes of each country: Spanish omelet and some types of soup for Spain, and meatballs with a sweet and sour sauce (with cherry jam) and chicken soup for Belgium. We also expained wich part of each country we live in.

We also told each other the sports we like. We talk about the football team we support, our knowledge of F1, the sports we do and at what days we usually do them.

Finally we spoke about our families, others hobbies, our schools, and how education works in each country. We also supported each other with our English speaking (because we were both a bit insecure).

We stopped talking because Clémentine had to go to Badminton.

Both of us enjoyed the call. It was a bit weird at the begining because it was something new, but we only needed a few time to feel confortable. Overall, we would repeat the call because because we only have a litle time to meet, and we are looking forward to meet one another in person.

For the video call, we decided to do the meeting on Saturday, the 31st, at six o'clock. At first we were more nervous because we didn't know each other, but with the passage of time we relaxed, and we were talking with good vibes.

At the meeting, we started to talk about our hobbies, thoughts about our towns, and our lives.

At second, we were talking about the Erasmus Project, and we shared our opinions, and we showed each other the work we've done so far, and we commented on our opinions.

After we talked about Catalonia and Arlon, the different languages spoken in Catalonia. We commented things about Arlon, and we coincided to be excited to meet in person.

Finally, the meeting finished because Pauline had to go to dinner. It was interesting to meet, and we have a desire to repeat the video call.

At the beginning we were quite shy, because neither of us had ever done video calls with people we didn’t know before, but the shyness only lasted for the first five minutes.

We started talking about the book, and I told her that at first, when I read the title, I thought it would be a very boring book and that I wouldn’t like it, but when I finished it, I realized that I liked it a lot and that the story is very interesting, and she thought the same as me,at first the story was a bit boring and sometimes confusing but when he started college that was way more interesting and sehe like's when how he had met his wife pretty funny

Then we started talking about her hobbies. She told me that she goes running and dancing as well, and I also explained that I sometimes go running too and that I ride horses.

I told her that the day she can come to my house, I would try to take her to the riding school to meet my horse.

We both really like animals and listening to music, and we spent a long time recommending songs and important films from our countries.

We talked about food, and we both like everything and don’t have any problems with eating. She speaks French at home, and I spoke a bit of Catalan to her because she had never heard it before, as at school she only uses Spanish. We said that she would help me with French and I would help her with Catalan and Spanish.

Finally, we talked about some traditions that exist and that we celebrate, and about Belgian chocolate.

We had the call on Google Meet and talked for about an hour. At the beginning, we were a bit shy, especially me, and there were some quiet moments, but little by little we felt more comfortable and started talking more.

We started by talking about the book First Blood by Amélie Nothomb and shared our opinions. Then we talked about the exchange trip and how excited we were because it is getting closer. We also talked about the weather and how it will probably be cold in Belgium.

After that, we asked each other if we had visited each other’s countries, like if they had been to Spain or if I had been to Belgium. None of us had, so it made the trip feel more special.

Later, we talked about our hobbies, sports, and school subjects. We found some things in common and learned new things about each other. We all agreed that maths is not our favorite subject, which made us laugh a little.

In the end, the call finished in a funny way because Constance’s laptop ran out of battery and suddenly turned off. Even so, I really enjoyed it, and it was fun to talk and get to know each other better. It was a nice experience and it made me feel more relaxed about the exchange. I’m really looking forward to seeing them soon.

At the beginning, we started talking by chat, because we didn’t know each other at all. We thought that doing a video call without knowing anything about each other would be a bit uncomfortable. So, we chatted throughout the whole week, and during that time we started to gain confidence.Later, we created a group with Claudia and Hannelore, and we also talked a lot there, which helped us feel even more comfortable with each other.

First, during the video call, we talked about Amélie Nothomb’s book and shared our opinions about the book and about her as a person. Then we discussed our hobbies and the sports we practice. Eva, for example, really likes baking. She showed us some of her cakes and cookies, and they looked very nice and appetizing.

Later, Hannelore told us about her sport. She practices contemporary ballet, and she said that she loves it a lot. We also talked about our families, and the girls were shocked when Mariam told them that she has four sisters.

Eva also told us that she has a rabbit and a chicken as pets, it was really funny and unique.

We also talked about teenage life in Arlon, about parties and school. We discussed the language differences we have and our daily timetables, for example dinner time, which is very different for us. We also talked about our favorite food and many other things.

Time passed very quickly, and we didn’t even realize that an hour had already gone by. We had a really good time and learned many things about each other.

An Author Spotlight is a short digital presentation that introduces an author to an audience that may not know them yet. In our project, this helps us answer a simple question: Who is this writer, and why is their story important for the book we are going to read?

Our Author Spotlight is created as a carousel post, where each slide has a clear function:

• Slide 1: the author’s name and a simple visual (title card).

• Slides 2-4: key facts about the author’s life (identity, background, experiences).

• Slide 5: a quote by the author about writing or life.

• Final slide: a question for our international partners.
  

The goal is not to show everything, but to help readers understand the author in a few minutes.

Through key moments of the author’s life, Aya highlights how personal experiences, identity and background can shape a writer’s literary universe.

This first spotlight reminds us that reading is not only about following a story, but also about discovering who is behind the words and why their voice matters.

What aspect of Amélie Nothomb’s life do you think will be most important to understand First Blood?

How do you think an author’s childhood can influence the way they tell a story?

For Mariam, understanding the author’s background helps readers realise that First Blood may deal with complex feelings such as fear, vulnerability and inner conflict, rather than simply telling a straightforward story.

Do you think knowing an author’s life changes the way we read their books?

For Douaa, understanding who Amélie Nothomb is helps readers approach First Blood not just as a narrative, but as a text shaped by emotions, memory and inner conflict. Her spotlight reminds us that literature often begins with something deeply personal before becoming universal.

Which emotions do you think will be most present in First Blood?

She highlights how growing up in many different countries because of her father’s diplomatic career led to a strong sense of displacement and an identity crisis that would later influence her literary universe.

For Clàudia, this constant movement helps explain why many of Nothomb’s characters appear rational, ironic and emotionally unexpressive, often hiding vulnerability behind control and intelligence. Her spotlight also draws attention to Nothomb’s view of weakness, suggesting that fragility can be as complex and dangerous as strenght.

By ending with a personal question, Clàudia invites us to reflect not only on the author, but on our relationship with her as a person and as a voice. Do you think you could become friends with Amélie Nothomb?

In the afternoon, we met the families of the Belgian students at the Château du Pont d'Oye, which was the residence of the Nothomb family and which our students got to know by reading "First Blood", in the middle of a privileged natural environment between the lake and the forest of Anlier. It was a key first moment to break the ice, meet up with the partners and start building new bonds.

This project is not just about reading and academic work: it is about coexistence, cultural exchange and real learning. Let's get started!

In the center's library, we worked on our "Reading Europe" project, with the novel "First Blood", by Amélie Nothomb, with two workshops that made us reflect on identity, memory and the European experience.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to attend a meeting with the author Jean-Claude Servais, a renowned comic book artist in the region and with a long career. Listening to a creator talk about his process has allowed us to understand that literature is a living tool for cultural construction.

Finally, the director of the center welcomed us as well as the German students from the IGS Fürstenau center, who also presented their Erasmus+ projects, one on sustainability and the other on the use of screens.

Today, Europe has been read, listened to and discussed!

We were able to connect our literary project with the political dimension of Europe: identity, rights, democracy and participation. Then we toured the city center and shared time with our partners, strengthening the project's ties.

We highlight the visit to the GardeRobe MannekenPis, which we loved!

This immersion allows us to better understand how the Belgian education system works and compare it with ours. Erasmus+ is also about this: observing, learning, adapting and growing.

In the afternoon we shared very diverse and enriching activities with our Belgian partners!

Afterwards we visited the Pompidou Center, reflecting on contemporary art as a shared European language.

This day reminds us that Europe is also culture, heritage and creativity!

Afterwards we visited Luxembourg and the Europa Experience, closing the week with a global look at the European project.

We return home with new friendships, more communication skills and a reinforced European awareness.

Reading Europe continues. See you in Roses soon!

The next step was comparing the differences and the similarities of both novels; all this, obviously, is represented in a Google Doc.

After seeing what both novels have in common, we summarized our notes to have them clearer for our Canva presentation.

We divided the work among us and everyone started working on their own (the division structure was mostly: girls First Blood and boys In Diamond Square, although we also worked together).

Finally, we made a script for our presentation and everyone started to practice.

To organize ourselves better, we created an Instagram group chat where we were speaking frequently in addition to making calls.

This phase is not only about analysing literature. It is about understanding how stories reflect history, society and identity across Europe, and how different contexts can shape similar human experiences.

Through a thematic approach, we will explore key ideas such as war, gender roles, social inequality, identity, language and personal reconstruction. These themes will guide our work and help us connect fiction with real European realities.

You will work in international groups with students from Belgium. Each group will focus on one theme and will collaborate online to develop a shared interpretation.

During the first part of this phase, your group will identify key passages from both novels, analyse similarities and differences between the two stories and reflect on how your theme connects to European history and society. This work will help you move from reading to thinking critically and comparatively.

Once your research is completed, you will transform your ideas into a Padlet post that will be shared with all participants in the project. Your post must include the title of your theme, a short explanation (150–200 words), one quote from each novel, one visual element (image, drawing or symbol) and one discussion question for the other groups.

Padlet will become our shared digital space, where all themes come together and where you can explore the work of your classmates.

In Phase 5 (Arlon mobility in Roses), your group will prepare a short oral presentation (around 5 minutes), which you will present during the mobility in Roses.

Your presentation should introduce your theme, explain the comparison between the two novels and present your conclusions about what this theme reveals about European society, history or identity.

This phase is an invitation to read, compare and think together. It is also a way to understand that literature is not only about stories, it is about people, cultures and shared European experiences.

Let’s read Europe together!

Our group is Elisa, Brisa, Constance and Pauline, and we worked on Social position and identity.

To organize ourselves better, we split the work between us and we also made an Instagram group so we could communicate easily and stay coordinated outside class.

Everyone had their part in the presentation, and we worked in a cooperative way.

This project helped us understand the topic better and see how it appears in both novels.

The first thing we did was to put our conclusions on a doc, and to make comunication easier, we created an Instagram group. Then we corrected it and started with the presentation.

We divided the work in four parts: two for every book, one for how we relate it and another for the conclusion. Each one of the group did one part. We did the presentation by canva and we will present by who did the slide.

When Belgium students arrived here, we speak a litle bit how to present the next day and we finished some details. Everyone worked as a team.

This project helped us to understand that, even when we are separated by thounsands of kilometers, we are so simmilar, we are united by something, always. It was a bit hard to find th topic on the book, but with our union we found it.

Then, each of us explained the similarities and differences we found between the two books. We talked about how women are presented in different situations and how society affects their lives. After that, we put our ideas together and chose the most important ones.

Next, we started making the presentation. We divided the work so each person had a different part. This helped us work better and faster. While we were working, we stayed in contact to help each other and make sure everything was clear.

When we finished the presentation, we checked it together and corrected some mistakes. Finally, we decided which part each person would present, based on our work and what we preferred.

In general, we worked well as a team and this project helped us understand the books better. It also helped us improve our teamwork.

Later, we created an Instagram group to organise ourselves and decided that each person would individually look for three quotes or paragraphs from the books that showed how poverty and famine were during that time period. Then, we shared our ideas in a video call and divided the tasks: the students from Illa de Rodes would make the Canva presentation, and the students from INDA would create the Padlet. However, in the end, we ended up doing both tasks ourselves, although it was not a problem.

When we finished the project, we divided the slides so that each person would present around two slides. We also practised in class to improve our oral presentation skills and present the project well.

In conclusion, we think the project was interesting and enjoyable. We also believe that the topics we were given to choose from were very appropriate and relevant for working with the books.

We took the opportunity to talk about how we were feeling and share our opinions about the Erasmus project, which everyone was really enjoying.

We also laughed a lot because we started telling funny stories and anecdotes that had happened to us during the trip.

There was much more confidence between all of us, and that showed that the Erasmus project was really bringing us together and giving great results.

We did the tour with a guide who explained everything really well and made it very interesting.
Even though the tour was quite long, it felt very short because it was entertaining and fun.

Thanks to this visit, we were able to learn more about the history of the place while also socializing and spending more time together.

It was very fun, especially because our Erasmus partners were the ones watching it. They really enjoyed the performance, and they laughed and clapped a lot, so it was a very special and entertaining moment for everyone. (Elisa)